The latest American military action in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Merely hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a large amount expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television appearance, the leader refused to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing global rivalry in the Arctic. "I don't rule it out. I don't say I'm going to do it, but I don't rule out anything... We need Greenland very badly," he remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
